Take Precautions to Avoid Being a Victim of Crime

Awareness can reduce fear of crime

Though older people are less likely to be victims of crime than young people, the number of crimes that happen to older people is hard to ignore.

Older people are often targets for robbery, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, car theft or home repair scams. During a crime, an older person is more likely to be seriously hurt than someone who is younger.

But, even though there are risks, don’t let the fear of crime stop you from enjoying life. Be careful and be aware of your surroundings. Here are some things that you can do to avoid crime and stay safe.

Be Safe at Home

Try to make sure that your locks, doors, and windows are strong and cannot be broken easily. A good alarm system can help.

Keep your doors and windows locked — when you are in the house and when you’re away.

Look through the peephole or a window before opening your door. Ask strangers for identification before you open the door. You don’t have to open the door if you feel uneasy.

Avoid keeping large amounts of money in the house.

Get to know your neighbors. Join a Neighborhood Watch Program if your community has one.

Be Street Smart

Stay alert when you are out. Walk with a friend. Try to avoid unsafe places like dark streets or parking lots. Keep your car doors locked at all times.

Don’t open your car door or roll down your window for strangers.

Park in well-lit areas.

Carry your purse close to your body with the strap over your shoulder and across your chest.

Don’t resist a robber. Hand over your cash or anything else that the robber demands right away if confronted.

Be Careful With Your Money

Have your monthly pension or Social Security checks sent right to the bank for direct deposit. Try not to go to the bank at the same time each week.

Put your wallet, money, or credit cards in an inside pocket. Try not to carry a lot of cash.

Keep your checkbook and credit cards in different places. That makes it harder for a thief to forge your signature on checks.

Fight Fraud

Older people may be victims of frauds like con games and insurance, home repair, telephone or Internet scams. Even “trusted” friends or family members have been known to steal an older person’s money or property. The following tips may help:

You can say no to any telephone sales pitch. You can hang up on telephone salespeople. That’s not being rude—that’s taking care of you!

Don’t give your credit card or bank account numbers to people who call you, even if they say they are from the bank.

If a stranger tells you to take money out of your bank account, don’t do it. In one common swindle, a thief pretends to be a bank employee and asks you to take out money to “test” a bank teller. Banks do not check their employees this way.

Deals that seem too good to be true are often rip-offs. Beware if you are asked to give someone a lot of money with the promise you will get more money later. Check with your local Better Business Bureau for more information about the record of any company before you do business with them.

Be on guard about hiring people who come door-to-door looking for home repair work. They may not be trained to do the work. They may overcharge you. Try to get referrals for home repairs from friends and family. Always be very clear about the details of the work you want done. Never pay for the whole job in advance.

A firewall on your computer can help protect you from getting unwanted requests. If you need help, ask someone who knows about computers to guide you.

Make sure your computer is protected with a password. Keep your passwords in a safe place. Don’t share them on the Internet, over email, or on the phone.

Elder Abuse — It’s a Crime

It’s hard to believe, but elder abuse can happen anywhere. It can take place at home by family or friends or in a nursing home by professional caregivers. Some people don’t think of elder abuse as a crime, but it is. Abuse can take many forms such as physical harm, financial loss, sexual abuse, or neglect by someone you trust. Verbal threats or rude words are another form of elder abuse. If someone you know is being abused, or if you need help, remember:

You can help yourself and others by reporting the crimes when they happen. Reporting abuse is a moral as well as a legal responsibility in most States.

Contact your local or State Adult Protective Services programs for help.

If you have been hurt, go to a doctor as soon as possible. Even though you may not see anything wrong, there is always the possibility you’ve been injured.

If needed, a lawyer can assist you in any legal action that needs to be taken.